tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88603921620176992732023-11-16T02:59:05.026-05:00JaxPopThe Haunted City WriterDavid Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-9925223177397456412023-01-14T19:18:00.018-05:002023-01-14T19:33:38.106-05:00Welcome To Wonderwood<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnS6_kp7EboFgwnDwAVKp6qc2BBUaBWr9l21gtHPpDXZVrQ0HvbS7T9FB1BvviFTUU9KAyedrTyauN5bvvbRpFZW0TF1LoTSxwklNxJXdDZ0wKRGXqwzkgvMvcGfZA4HLm1Q8qeF_7LIInsr4jWo1JSZQ1O5cppVd_zyTvWzyERJlYpd9Ovy5Z8YxBrw/s4167/Wonderwood%20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4167" data-original-width="3125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnS6_kp7EboFgwnDwAVKp6qc2BBUaBWr9l21gtHPpDXZVrQ0HvbS7T9FB1BvviFTUU9KAyedrTyauN5bvvbRpFZW0TF1LoTSxwklNxJXdDZ0wKRGXqwzkgvMvcGfZA4HLm1Q8qeF_7LIInsr4jWo1JSZQ1O5cppVd_zyTvWzyERJlYpd9Ovy5Z8YxBrw/s320/Wonderwood%20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> <b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 107%;">Wonderwood</span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">9-year-old
Jacob craves adventure. His grandfather (Pop) and older cousin Jack, both
treasure hunters and, at times, ghost chasers, have survived many narrow
escapes while collecting a fortune in valuable relics, gold coins and rare
jewels. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">What could
he do? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Augie,
Pop’s Scottish Terrier, wearing his red bow tie, has the answer, and, in
exchange for his favorite treat, will guide Jacob to the ancient oak tree and
its hidden passage, leading to a strange and classical world of mystical
creatures, evil witches, talking animals, dangerous outlaws, brave knights,
and, if he can survive to collect it, a priceless golden key.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Can Jacob
meet the challenge? And Augie, what is HIS secret? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> *****</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Decided it was time to write a new book - this time featuring my youngest grandson (Jacob) & my little buddy (who is not spoiled at all) Augie - my Scottish Terrier. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Kids today don't read the classic stories so, leaving behind my YA - Rackham series (I have book #4 of the series in the works) decided it would be good to have my NEW characters visit the classics & take part in the stories. It was a blast to write & Augie (who is already quite famous) was ready for the challenge. It's a smaller middle grade book, 114 pages - not overwhelming - & each chapter is an adventure, which leads to the next classic story. Great feedback so far. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some links if you want to check it out:</span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wonderwood-david-n-ebright/1142821697?ean=9781732227781&fbclid=IwAR0MbP4xCkJo3X3NzuHb0QjzrHKD35AcpervTArH8kblk-zLXMMZqawpCbQ" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../wonderwo.../1142821697...</a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.booksamillion.com/search?filter&id=7614679483510&query=David%20Ebright%20Wonderwood%20&fbclid=IwAR311oUcVfC-ooCM3eAYcia7OZhl1KpogMXns_lI2JQ21GUKzkr6hkWseW4" rel="nofollow" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.booksamillion.com/search?filter=&id=7614679483510&query=David+Ebright+Wonderwood+</a></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wonderwood-Jacob-Adventure-David-Ebright/dp/1732227780">Wonderwood: A Jacob & Augie Adventure: Ebright, David N: 9781732227781: Amazon.com: Books</a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">#scottishterriers #scottiedog #classicstories #middlegradebooks #augie #belznan #kidsadventures</div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">And here's Augie (he loves the beach) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aK74gpMRkEaOQy_KfZFRIMY5QM6SXC4AGwSDo82xhrfvSIb-mB-v7u3WH1JLxNwNjF7qa1o82r7PGwuDbyht0Zsrse6yE9K0MA0y4vMxRTg0mpp8763uLS74LFqbG77uHjQDFf9A_iSOONyDtnrcNwM4grGwTjfqC_U0k1VOm7M1vkI-YfMtB1Rb2A/s1248/Augie%20Beach%20Bum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1248" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aK74gpMRkEaOQy_KfZFRIMY5QM6SXC4AGwSDo82xhrfvSIb-mB-v7u3WH1JLxNwNjF7qa1o82r7PGwuDbyht0Zsrse6yE9K0MA0y4vMxRTg0mpp8763uLS74LFqbG77uHjQDFf9A_iSOONyDtnrcNwM4grGwTjfqC_U0k1VOm7M1vkI-YfMtB1Rb2A/s320/Augie%20Beach%20Bum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><p></p>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-82606601781289020542020-09-06T16:17:00.000-04:002020-09-06T16:17:20.128-04:00Jack Rackham's New Boat <p> Most folks that follow me know Jack. My oldest grandson that is. He's the treasure huntin', ghost chasin', time travelin' subject of my JACK RACKHAM ADVENTURE series. Spent some time on the phone with him the other day. Awesome kid. Love him like crazy (& Isabel & Jacob too!). </p><p>Now I'm 3/4 of the way through a new book - Isabel is the primary character (Jack makes an appearance), & this one is a bit scarier than the others. I mean, what's so scary about confronting ghosts, dead pirates, zombies, shape shifters, evil slave traders & going back in time after a dangerous trek through the jungle & swimming in an underground river. Child's Play. Had to kick it up a few notches. (Jacob's book is done, with another in the works, but I can't get the art work right.)</p><p>Anyway, Jack has his smaller boat, BAD LATITUDE which Pop bought for him when he was 15. Now that Jack's older now, & has lotsa money from treasure hunting he went n' bought his bad self a new boat - custom built in the UK - named it <b><i>Cacique</i></b><i> - </i>if ya read BAD LATITUDE it'll tell you where that name comes from. </p><p>Here are some pictures of the new ride. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TJRG7mg0kEVHEJSHMFh2JSca2a-DIlTUSyH1AlFKye0k6sqyHGnRFVCXOnwWha7tIObfhE-oDsB51GeeRHAhNUaHuJzHhm9StoGDORyEZW8msWm2Db37KiCanA7Us3ehL5mTpKU3BmFf/s1073/Jack%2527s+New+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TJRG7mg0kEVHEJSHMFh2JSca2a-DIlTUSyH1AlFKye0k6sqyHGnRFVCXOnwWha7tIObfhE-oDsB51GeeRHAhNUaHuJzHhm9StoGDORyEZW8msWm2Db37KiCanA7Us3ehL5mTpKU3BmFf/s320/Jack%2527s+New+Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mean the kid needs some space - 90' should work</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqcw9Gzb6lGCEwshlYK4ka6JzpzO4C0Euk99U34weIovMIMdeiIlKMAChrgw3yLbSlOFGFHQPRM9AyT2qqgr7_vgEkiF4AugMV8TP8ErHPHiT7b42F5JrDXh6DrwB7cHhV311q0vnFoK7/s320/Jack%2527s+Boat+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqcw9Gzb6lGCEwshlYK4ka6JzpzO4C0Euk99U34weIovMIMdeiIlKMAChrgw3yLbSlOFGFHQPRM9AyT2qqgr7_vgEkiF4AugMV8TP8ErHPHiT7b42F5JrDXh6DrwB7cHhV311q0vnFoK7/s0/Jack%2527s+Boat+4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gotta have a place to hang out inside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOoPH55A5RKoHzd13oRwuEpiiHcMcd4ppcbtLiQn0w3n-AJpNg6JksMsbk2S6u-XhGsqvdPrmtQkX0XSyeleBGmd98HVRqKO2OhsLWF8fAlokr0tHY4Tk-Yk-mjxMmT_o-Zp-owFT5w7h/s1280/Jack%2527s+Boat+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOoPH55A5RKoHzd13oRwuEpiiHcMcd4ppcbtLiQn0w3n-AJpNg6JksMsbk2S6u-XhGsqvdPrmtQkX0XSyeleBGmd98HVRqKO2OhsLWF8fAlokr0tHY4Tk-Yk-mjxMmT_o-Zp-owFT5w7h/s320/Jack%2527s+Boat+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& a little kitchen area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8rR3ojuhv-65GLTdwQLfQLZCvIGNIyEez-Z6VCF7fLp7AdmooIxzIeD-30lIfqd-_U9g1RGJdEWPlJqFvl_ARTC3UjcyArHGhK9LF4epVrg9P2S03iko0R3B8_DyR4CHrjHWKk8gr4Bt/s1280/Jack%2527s+Boat+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8rR3ojuhv-65GLTdwQLfQLZCvIGNIyEez-Z6VCF7fLp7AdmooIxzIeD-30lIfqd-_U9g1RGJdEWPlJqFvl_ARTC3UjcyArHGhK9LF4epVrg9P2S03iko0R3B8_DyR4CHrjHWKk8gr4Bt/s320/Jack%2527s+Boat+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& a place to run the boat from inside in bad weather</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtwg63F7qCSlEW9xENLI6cU_DLMoNsYdx0UdQ26URPQloM2AfDpo7cMCNTOUoEbeBmjf6DiCzZ6nV6Bk5XhnBLZJKs2xGnB5eSWs1pE-7YzJe_Pitd2CzhTpP21PeKbw6Uyvu-tofL1GI/s1073/Jack%2527s+Boat+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtwg63F7qCSlEW9xENLI6cU_DLMoNsYdx0UdQ26URPQloM2AfDpo7cMCNTOUoEbeBmjf6DiCzZ6nV6Bk5XhnBLZJKs2xGnB5eSWs1pE-7YzJe_Pitd2CzhTpP21PeKbw6Uyvu-tofL1GI/s320/Jack%2527s+Boat+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> & a nice outdoor spot for lunch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv9Pk_6JGeuUEMvJF-TvyrdcQwtL8e8vw1aD_s8t71sFVRG3B3rkfdnc5cO-8TmfGom4ACsGPX6HCUJfX_2Wl0R-r9DZ9I9qyFNYNEsYsgrZpUVrEuul0sTSuoD4PAMkWJdtg68uliaJM/s1280/Jack%2527s+Boat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv9Pk_6JGeuUEMvJF-TvyrdcQwtL8e8vw1aD_s8t71sFVRG3B3rkfdnc5cO-8TmfGom4ACsGPX6HCUJfX_2Wl0R-r9DZ9I9qyFNYNEsYsgrZpUVrEuul0sTSuoD4PAMkWJdtg68uliaJM/s320/Jack%2527s+Boat+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">& naturally a tolerable place to sleep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldPRd1AiOxRhNNRbD_Q7AmnGS-lJilxepUfyApSRnRv64wJLUNIDDSZ8-LbFJBg7OQRDk8jD49zMG1ka4qn9FnB1rTTXFdgZ3AJOnxZ39TScJ_7mRg6F1kBo8kERcNN42lmZDMc3R9JVA/s960/Jack+5+years+ago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldPRd1AiOxRhNNRbD_Q7AmnGS-lJilxepUfyApSRnRv64wJLUNIDDSZ8-LbFJBg7OQRDk8jD49zMG1ka4qn9FnB1rTTXFdgZ3AJOnxZ39TScJ_7mRg6F1kBo8kERcNN42lmZDMc3R9JVA/s320/Jack+5+years+ago.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yep. The kid has come a long way since this picture was taken, a while before becoming a treasure hunter. That's the great thing about having grandkids, & being a grandfather writing YA Fiction. #havingablast </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-70465455714806251842020-08-09T16:14:00.001-04:002020-08-09T16:14:50.223-04:00How The Story Starts <p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b style="font-size: x-large;"> </b>"Your first line sells the book. Your last line sells the next book." Mickey Spillane</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8JDyjsE7lwitqs9lyoPLFZ6vdAHKtirrKY-eIhqqcdKwDh752DdeiVoL0sv_05x41C1gSc8RPDNNY3nwoXZscwqvjyXjIDJnqhV9pGD3hqSPAG_ZVoWvUqU5eIAqHcghje18ni8Q5ap4/s2048/FB_IMG_1547511352814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8JDyjsE7lwitqs9lyoPLFZ6vdAHKtirrKY-eIhqqcdKwDh752DdeiVoL0sv_05x41C1gSc8RPDNNY3nwoXZscwqvjyXjIDJnqhV9pGD3hqSPAG_ZVoWvUqU5eIAqHcghje18ni8Q5ap4/s640/FB_IMG_1547511352814.jpg" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: times;">"Where's Papa going with that axe?" asked Fern. (From Charlotte's Web by E.B. White)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Does that sentence grab your attention? Do you <i>really</i> want to find out where Papa's going with the axe? Does it make you want to read more? Okay so I've already read it & I know how it works out. Charlotte's Web is a classic children's novel, though in a lot of ways it's pretty deep, with death being a major theme. But it starts out with a question about Papa's action. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">So opening lines - do they work? I decided to pull my books off the shelf & see how I started the three already-published Jack Rackham Adventures. I didn't want to post the last lines because they tend to give away the story endings. Sorry. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Drumroll please - </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"> <b>BAD LATITUDE</b> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: times;"><i>There was no escaping the h</i></span><i style="font-family: times;">urricane's fury</i><i style="font-family: times;">.</i></b><span style="font-family: times;"> Okay, not awful, it was my first book, but I probably should have combined it with the 2nd sentence where actual action takes place - </span><i style="font-family: times;"><b>The center mast snapped, toppling with a thunderous crash as the doomed ship listed to port, exposing its massive keel.</b></i><span style="font-family: times;"> Action instead of set up. At the risk of showing my bias, at least this opening might provoke some interest. A reader might be inclined to read further to discover what happens to the poor folks onboard this ship being destroyed in a hurricane. Maybe. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>RECKLESS ENDEAVOR</b> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><b>A thick rope made of hemp & flax cinched his neck, biting into the skin while a thinner cord bound the gnarled hands behind his back.</b> </i>Somebody's in big trouble here. Who? What did he do? Is he going to die or get rescued? He certainly wasn't being treated gently, I mean, the rope IS biting into his skin. Not perfect, but hopeful. It might not be enough to grab, but it might provide a little tug. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>GALLOWS POINT</b> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><b>Rachel couldn't breathe as she spun helplessly through brilliant pulsing light.</b> </i>Well, I stuck a gerund in there. I try to avoid them since they describe an incomplete action, so I'm not sure how this one got past me. Rachel is obviously unable to change anything about her situation - she's 'helpless' but is this opening sentence enough to make a reader go further? Hate to say it, but probably not. Hey, just being honest, here. Fortunately (in terms of story pacing) Rachel confronts her kidnapper, the dreaded pirate Calico Jack Rackham (he's dead of course) within the first couple of pages. So there's THAT. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The good news? Most readers will go a<i> little</i> further than the first line so make sure the story takes off. </span></p><p></p>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-67766494533186210152020-08-05T19:39:00.005-04:002020-08-05T21:54:07.346-04:00BAD LATITUDE - Jack Rackham's 1st Adventure<div data-draftjs-conductor-fragment="{"blocks":[{"key":"6gb1u","text":"I used to blog back in the day & had a lot of fun with it. Made a lot of friends as well. This is my first attempt at getting back into it - a whole new set up. So I'll plan on posting about my books, writing in general, pirates, ghosts, shapeshifters & lost treasure, sailing ships, haunted St Augustine, & maybe some baseball & grandkid stuff. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"48fen","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c1thn","text":"It (writing) started in my garage - had my laptop out there - was thinking about my grandson Jack, we had moved from Pennsylvania to Florida & he lived in Pa (still does) so I was missing him (still do). I tapped out \"Jack spent summers with his grandparents in St Augustine.\" (Daydreaming at that point.) I ended up writing a story about how he came to visit - which morphed into a \"chapter\" then another & another & several months later I had the first draft - and made countless changes, even with plot & characters. 3/4 of the way through I decided it would be cool if he was the descendant of a pirate - a real pirate, Calico Jack Rackham. So I rewrote the whole dang thing & had a blast doing it. BAD LATITUDE did so well, & I had so much fun, that I started writing another Jack Rackham book - & then another. I'll post about them (& my Augie series & current WIP) in the future. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ablgc","text":"This is the back of the book copy for my first book, which still does remarkably well. ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"3jgr6","text":"","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8d3pm","text":"The seaside town of St. Augustine is haunted.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9nlim","text":"Everyone knows that.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"t04i","text":" ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"d3le8","text":"For fifteen-year-old Jack Rackham, a descendant of the notorious pirate ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8ns3q","text":"Calico Jack, it was supposed to be a relaxing summer of great surfing, exploring","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9oh8t","text":"the Ancient City and adventures on his very own boat, Bad Latitude. His","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[{"offset":54,"length":12,"style":"ITALIC"}],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"28bjk","text":"discovery of a three hundred-year-old diary changed all of that.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"ehc8k","text":" ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5smrh","text":"When the secrets of the old book are unraveled, Jack enlists the help","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"72stv","text":"of his best friend Kai, and together, they begin the dangerous search for","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6gvcg","text":"the hidden fortune buried beneath the abandoned burial grounds of","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"2v6vu","text":"Rattlesnake Island. Digging under the light of the full moon, the boys are","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"6ksf0","text":"unaware that a terrifying menace waits in the darkness, determined to","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"49b26","text":"prevent their escape. Supernatural guardians of the island are clawing and","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"62dbf","text":"dragging their way through the snake-infested marsh grass, surrounding","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"c50ct","text":"the pair, working to create a deadly ambush, while offshore lurks a","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"cnr4q","text":"mysterious ship, shrouded in an eerie green fog, flying the flag of the","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8p0dd","text":"long dead Calico Jack Rackham.","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"8n115","text":" ","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"5u5qs","text":"Before daybreak, Jack and Kai will face a desperate struggle for","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"7jd83","text":"survival, ultimately choosing between unimaginable wealth and","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"34ek2","text":"friendship. Will they put their own lives on the line to save one another","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"63li4","text":"from the evil that stalks their every move, or will the promise of great","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}},{"key":"9u9td","text":"riches lead to tragedy and despair?","type":"unstyled","depth":0,"inlineStyleRanges":[],"entityRanges":[],"data":{}}],"entityMap":{}}" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="foo-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="foo-0-0"><span data-offset-key="foo-0-0"><i>I used to blog back in the day & had a lot of fun with it. Made a lot of friends as well. This is my first attempt at getting back into it - a whole new set up. So I'll plan on posting about my books, writing in general, pirates, ghosts, shapeshifters & lost treasure, sailing ships, haunted St Augustine, & maybe some baseball & grandkid stuff. </i></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="37uaf-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="37uaf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="37uaf-0-0"><i><br data-text="true" /></i></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="e0i5b-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e0i5b-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e0i5b-0-0"><i>It (writing) started in my garage - had my laptop out there - was thinking about my grandson Jack, we had moved from Pennsylvania to Florida & he lived in Pa (still does) so I was missing him (still do). I tapped out "Jack spent summers with his grandparents in St Augustine." (Daydreaming at that point.) I ended up writing a story about how he came to visit - which morphed into a "chapter" then another & another & several months later I had the first draft - and made countless changes, even with plot & characters. 3/4 of the way through I decided it would be cool if he was the descendant of a pirate - a real pirate, Calico Jack Rackham. So I rewrote the whole dang thing & had a blast doing it. BAD LATITUDE did so well, & I had so much fun, that I started writing another Jack Rackham book - & then another. I'll post about them (& my Augie series & current WIP) in the future. </i></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="81eb1-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="81eb1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="81eb1-0-0"><i>This is the back of the book copy for my first book, which still does remarkably well.</i> </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="c4r8p-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="c4r8p-0-0"><span data-offset-key="c4r8p-0-0"><br data-text="true" /></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="fneau-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fneau-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fneau-0-0"><b>The seaside town of St. Augustine is haunted.</b></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="2u96u-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2u96u-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2u96u-0-0"><b>Everyone knows that.</b></span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="1jjet-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1jjet-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1jjet-0-0"> </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="bebnj-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bebnj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bebnj-0-0">For fifteen-year-old Jack Rackham, a descendant of the notorious pirate </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="e7riu-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e7riu-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e7riu-0-0">Calico Jack, it was supposed to be a relaxing summer of great surfing, exploring</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="4cndg-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4cndg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4cndg-0-0">the Ancient City and adventures on his very own boat, </span><span data-offset-key="4cndg-0-1" style="font-style: italic;">Bad Latitude</span><span data-offset-key="4cndg-0-2">. His</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="3qcc7-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3qcc7-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3qcc7-0-0">discovery of a three hundred-year-old diary changed all of that.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="a27qt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a27qt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a27qt-0-0"> </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="6g0rt-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6g0rt-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6g0rt-0-0">When the secrets of the old book are unraveled, Jack enlists the help</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="4bf37-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4bf37-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4bf37-0-0">of his best friend Kai, and together, they begin the dangerous search for</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="fodc5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fodc5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fodc5-0-0">the hidden fortune buried beneath the abandoned burial grounds of</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="da1fk-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="da1fk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="da1fk-0-0">Rattlesnake Island. Digging under the light of the full moon, the boys are</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="e5o7d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e5o7d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e5o7d-0-0">unaware that a terrifying menace waits in the darkness, determined to</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="51o5s-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="51o5s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="51o5s-0-0">prevent their escape. Supernatural guardians of the island are clawing and</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="evjbq-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="evjbq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="evjbq-0-0">dragging their way through the snake-infested marsh grass, surrounding</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="b6hec-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="b6hec-0-0"><span data-offset-key="b6hec-0-0">the pair, working to create a deadly ambush, while offshore lurks a</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="1if1k-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1if1k-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1if1k-0-0">mysterious ship, shrouded in an eerie green fog, flying the flag of the</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="d4eho-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d4eho-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d4eho-0-0">long dead Calico Jack Rackham.</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="a8av4-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="a8av4-0-0"><span data-offset-key="a8av4-0-0"> </span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="7q6o0-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="7q6o0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="7q6o0-0-0">Before daybreak, Jack and Kai will face a desperate struggle for</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="17rih-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="17rih-0-0"><span data-offset-key="17rih-0-0">survival, ultimately choosing between unimaginable wealth and</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="d9b5d-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d9b5d-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d9b5d-0-0">friendship. Will they put their own lives on the line to save one another</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="2seo5-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2seo5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2seo5-0-0">from the evil that stalks their every move, or will the promise of great</span></div></div><div class="jwLWP _2hXa7 _1dPe8 blog-post-text-font blog-post-text-color public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" data-block="true" data-editor="48h0a" data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><span data-offset-key="enet-0-0">riches lead to tragedy and despair?</span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><span data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pSZHFsa980V3Vt8YN2KzWJczZnpgNy71GQnPOorz1-LXHqPpDTcwQ1WLL_UuWkwVSNHORsIFMNcDyXC358XNaxL-2DL1zhdeg8HrQffDrAtVG5DM_wU8vHYfpxghla3kTODQXKvPHfI4/s539/FB_IMG_1582376746524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="539" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pSZHFsa980V3Vt8YN2KzWJczZnpgNy71GQnPOorz1-LXHqPpDTcwQ1WLL_UuWkwVSNHORsIFMNcDyXC358XNaxL-2DL1zhdeg8HrQffDrAtVG5DM_wU8vHYfpxghla3kTODQXKvPHfI4/w344-h246/FB_IMG_1582376746524.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><span data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><br /></span></div><div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><span data-offset-key="enet-0-0"><br /></span></div></div></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-8826378902112851612013-11-18T19:48:00.004-05:002013-11-18T19:48:44.658-05:00Healthcare - Redneck Style
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've missed blogging so I'm dipping my toes into the water again with a post that might be
helpful during these trying times - a kind of public service. Lately stories about the new healthcare
laws and how insurers are scramblin' to cut - reinstate or adapt coverage have dominated the news.
The problems have been particularly difficult here in some parts
of the south because the <strong><em>medical terminology</em></strong> is so . . . different. As a writer, decipherin' language is important, so with some help from the internet I'm gonna take a brief break from Pirates, GALLOWS POINT & general storytellin' to explain the lingo so y'all can cogitate on it
a spell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Benign - What you be, after you be eight.<br />
Artery - The study of paintings<br />
Bacteria - Back door to the cafeteria<br />
Barium - what doctors do when patients die<br />
Cesarean section - a neighborhood in Rome<br />
Cat scan - searching for kitty<br />
Cauterize - made eye contact with her<br />
Coma- a punctuation mark<br />
D & C - Where Washington is<br />
Dilate - to live long<br />
Enema - Not a friend<br />
Fester - quicker than someone else<br />
Fibula - a small lie<br />
GI series - world series of military baseball<br />
Hangnail - what you hang your coat on<br />
Impotent - distinguished, well-known<br />
Labor pain - getting hurt at work<br />
Medical staff - a doctor's cane<br />
Morbid - a higher offer<br />
Nitrates - cheaper than day rates<br />
Node - I knew it<br />
Outpatient - a person who has fainted<br />
Pap Smear - A fatherhood test<br />
Pelvis - second cousin to Elvis<br />
Post Operative - a letter carrier<br />
Recovery room - place to do upholstery<br />
Rectum - darn near killed him<br />
Secretion - hiding something<br />
Seizure - a Roman emperor<br />
Tablet - a small table<br />
Terminal Illness - getting sick at the airport<br />
Tumor - one plus one more<br />
Urine - opposite of you're out<br />
Varicose - nearby / close by</span><br />
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David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-34050801242763981502012-07-14T20:10:00.003-04:002012-07-14T20:13:48.970-04:00You Don't Know Jack. . . . YET6 months have passed since I last posted on this blog. Hmph! <br />
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We are back (finally) from our lengthy stint in South Florida & currently living full-time (*sigh of relief*) in our own home here in the nation's oldest city. My writing room renovation is almost finished (nautical theme - big surprise) & the push is on to get into the flow again on GALLOWS POINT, the 3rd book in The Jack Rackham Adventure series.<br />
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Sneak peak photo above - All of the pictures in my writing room were taken by Deb & mounted on canvas. The yacht shown is 'Enticer' built in 1934 sailing out of Rhode Island. It is very similar to FDR's Sequoia & is currently for sale for $3.3 million. This was taken in St Augustine during a visit from "The HMS Bounty". </div>
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<strong>Sorry - Back to the post:</strong> </div>
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Unfortunately, blogging will continue to take a back seat for a bit longer. I totally understand the importance for writers to maintain a healthy internet presence, but spare time comes at such a premium & something's got to give. There is hope, however - a little anyway. <br />
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A few days ago I chatted about my dilemma with my good friend (& book character) 'Pop' while we enjoyed fine hand-rolled cigars a we lounged on the deck of RECKLESS ENDEAVOR, his luxurious multi-million dollar schooner moored just off the seawall near St Augustine's municipal pier. I mentioned some of the specific questions that I get from readers about Jack & the rest of the characters in the JRA books, many that even I can't answer & asked if he had any thoughts. This morning he called with a remedy. <br />
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Now he refuses to actually blog, though I imagine it could be very entertaining if he did, but it seems he invited one of his favorite authors (he never mentioned who & I know better than to ask) over to the mansion to interview his grandson Jack. Guess I could have done that myself but maybe it's better to get an outsider's perspective. In any case, this will give me some material to plug in for a couple of blog posts (since he agreed to let me use it all, word for word, if I want), & some Twitter linkage (which I still struggle with) &, as a bonus, I'll finally get some reader questions answered. <br />
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Well, we're just gonna have to see where this ends up. Could be interesting . . . & I wonder who is doing the interview . . . Do you have any questions? <br />
<br />David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-84488308014429469522012-01-28T00:15:00.002-05:002012-01-28T00:17:44.154-05:00Sunday Stroll - in the old townIt's been almost a month since I've written anything. More than 3 since my last post. Almost zero time online. Lots going on. Getting to the final stage of my project in Miami. Pushing hard. Tired. <br />
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Six weeks ago my doctor (Dr Butcher) said I looked like crap. He ought to see me now. Dark circles under the dark circles. Guess that happens when you try to cram the work of 6 months into 3. More design changes in the works. The days seem really long but the calendar pages are flipping by way too fast. Can't believe it's almost February. Two looooong years. <br />
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This engraving of bat wings on each side of the hour glass means "time flies". It's a marble insert on the face of a St Augustine tomb where a Catholic Bishop was once buried. He "moved" home to Cuba about 100 years ago, 40 years after his death. Hope I get home sooner than that! (And not in a box.)<br />
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Last week Deb suggested we take a little stress-relief walk around our haunted seaside hometown. First stop was an old cemetery. Maybe she was tryin' to make a not-so-subtle point. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlAKtST3n1vt5OzAJJK5lvYh11Mixw53gCg3eHuUzIEqEPjNbTtJaF_eFDgmUHa26IjgBW8T66DKvZ3EkMBmKxW-iVL-g41AVVZx9lAbNagsrReahKZMJmCMkeV5w-kwJF3TIhFVBK5pS/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlAKtST3n1vt5OzAJJK5lvYh11Mixw53gCg3eHuUzIEqEPjNbTtJaF_eFDgmUHa26IjgBW8T66DKvZ3EkMBmKxW-iVL-g41AVVZx9lAbNagsrReahKZMJmCMkeV5w-kwJF3TIhFVBK5pS/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next we visited the old drugstore where we buy our loose tea & organic Florida honey - but no drugs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeaTjSnu43_g5ihSN6_bGqFMY3u3C5OlQkHI8KUI7GRWGLM1NsPA-FFttwgu_9bM4kWuOQfi1PBm4c5hth6Tt8hH_W2Wn_KpwKvtQGlT0s9_WC_uHBbMr8vxo8p5EPW34EPwWXSm8sKYE/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeaTjSnu43_g5ihSN6_bGqFMY3u3C5OlQkHI8KUI7GRWGLM1NsPA-FFttwgu_9bM4kWuOQfi1PBm4c5hth6Tt8hH_W2Wn_KpwKvtQGlT0s9_WC_uHBbMr8vxo8p5EPW34EPwWXSm8sKYE/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Deb wanted to get a shot of the old city gates. It was a gray day, not great for photos, but she managed to get a picture without tourists in the scene. Across the street, in the background, is the Castillo de San Marcos. That was our next destination. These structures are built with coquina. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpDdKibt8Zzj5GNgCQYoUaMy8-xoJ5_B5P6N0oqoLB9u0NU8svBstivAQ4O3IyHLPoWzTC-TvEPPYYWPNrIoqj2RIKspay4nEF3QefazN_GJYX7UJqzqasIJNjmJg_4M9lYyPx3Nte-9N/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpDdKibt8Zzj5GNgCQYoUaMy8-xoJ5_B5P6N0oqoLB9u0NU8svBstivAQ4O3IyHLPoWzTC-TvEPPYYWPNrIoqj2RIKspay4nEF3QefazN_GJYX7UJqzqasIJNjmJg_4M9lYyPx3Nte-9N/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTUuYPJ24UAwna3-0xHHEnsmvIWb3V3jPrfof8jdJLyczQDI99d_S05hEP0dmkxViLDna0Fq0Vfq6BpRPN6J6HGa34SbifRdDOlU4DOW0TzM3J8ohH6JeNNAdWYZa-XQKUkyYV1kac8wc/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTUuYPJ24UAwna3-0xHHEnsmvIWb3V3jPrfof8jdJLyczQDI99d_S05hEP0dmkxViLDna0Fq0Vfq6BpRPN6J6HGa34SbifRdDOlU4DOW0TzM3J8ohH6JeNNAdWYZa-XQKUkyYV1kac8wc/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The Castillo pictures - same day (within minutes) 2 angles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMo5qpNtdX9utMpM4Mw_Z5bXlUH5_EgVknklcFx3w_EKuqT0gC9hVuN3x8cqKsKcgxw2mkOIFTxZzU_0Bv9aeILhQRSggtRRm36snOaF6iQ8dPEqkgVWt3O-Kad751sCHaLuEJgjpTkdW/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMo5qpNtdX9utMpM4Mw_Z5bXlUH5_EgVknklcFx3w_EKuqT0gC9hVuN3x8cqKsKcgxw2mkOIFTxZzU_0Bv9aeILhQRSggtRRm36snOaF6iQ8dPEqkgVWt3O-Kad751sCHaLuEJgjpTkdW/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Busy day at the fort. On weekends they fire cannons every hour using "Spanish" soldiers in full uniform. A few years back we were in our boat (our boat really is named Laffin' Gaff), 10 yards away from the fort's seawall facing the inlet when that cannon went off. Though my engine blew up. That incident blossomed into a part of the story in BAD LATITUDE - the night Jack & Kai were fired upon by the ghost ship. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLh4ZAcrMLquAm1KI1QMWo3xTDuJzFzz3F2L7pn1dqF3HSizhULwXYqfJ8ymSTBHNjduK-3o_DL2-KdAqRGFIfKOci5nINInKOtR9Tz4qzWdEHQzRGh_KB-Yn8-iCTLBw-FDcqM3F_por/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLh4ZAcrMLquAm1KI1QMWo3xTDuJzFzz3F2L7pn1dqF3HSizhULwXYqfJ8ymSTBHNjduK-3o_DL2-KdAqRGFIfKOci5nINInKOtR9Tz4qzWdEHQzRGh_KB-Yn8-iCTLBw-FDcqM3F_por/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Bridge of Lions. This bridge was recently taken apart & hauled away. A temporary bridge was built in its place. The original was completely restored, trucked back in sections & reassembled. <strong>THAT</strong> would have been an awesome project to run. In RECKLESS (book number 2), Pop does some showin' off, sailing through this very drawbridge in his restored schooner <em>Reckless Endeavor </em>as they leave port in search of the Rackham treasure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYhrdMFieCchkFW3Q1cIyTHE_22nDL20daPBsx1I95rcmwCw0dZdqUXIuMp5x4pmCdzwnXpmSp63gzMaYIl5Xuy8E-a2pMd7MbR1dRoB9jY9tBUpueb-DAYPoWNkawNIrQAVKI1dx9rFp/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYhrdMFieCchkFW3Q1cIyTHE_22nDL20daPBsx1I95rcmwCw0dZdqUXIuMp5x4pmCdzwnXpmSp63gzMaYIl5Xuy8E-a2pMd7MbR1dRoB9jY9tBUpueb-DAYPoWNkawNIrQAVKI1dx9rFp/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdg6pCUVtFWUfzQKS5C6UeW6gH0-u_E2w-V69eQLWTMQMeolBsw_FvNK-g88mEWdVfFDeHBSeAz3O6B2fvcZAB53ZVYoQvC6nrwPS2_m5hAZkZ0VdLNA9Kn9vXR3eF5Z70mPuImhUHrtn/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdg6pCUVtFWUfzQKS5C6UeW6gH0-u_E2w-V69eQLWTMQMeolBsw_FvNK-g88mEWdVfFDeHBSeAz3O6B2fvcZAB53ZVYoQvC6nrwPS2_m5hAZkZ0VdLNA9Kn9vXR3eF5Z70mPuImhUHrtn/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We need to run a contest to see who can figure out where the name of the bridge comes from. (Hint: Granite statues.) The inscription P de L 1513 stands for Ponce de Leon who founded the city in 1513, making St Augustine the oldest city in America & the very first Catholic mass in all of North America. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FaHT0V7pBijPl6o_9zk9Q2PL1lDGSTGs0NSIUfD34QIJtansGU1N0U4uuX828ChBH6atiC7yT8QQ9Z0OFavKZNm07kX6-QwkWJw698qBvrKkO785FkMnPOXOVfUJqWspm_pJCT0_-GtW/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FaHT0V7pBijPl6o_9zk9Q2PL1lDGSTGs0NSIUfD34QIJtansGU1N0U4uuX828ChBH6atiC7yT8QQ9Z0OFavKZNm07kX6-QwkWJw698qBvrKkO785FkMnPOXOVfUJqWspm_pJCT0_-GtW/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now drawbridges are fairly common, but how often do you see pirate ships crossing through 'em? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0Mm_b_BbJBaGFRZDl-PSntz9UL_TRfNwknZCNPObXVnc_84xaaPJkS2DV6gsIDcpI4CIn8B526lN14Fu_I0nR1tZ0pzHVSvZ_u9g7MDNyVgFKWthib5Sy4PoALjAHoKiBklogWLTWkOT/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0Mm_b_BbJBaGFRZDl-PSntz9UL_TRfNwknZCNPObXVnc_84xaaPJkS2DV6gsIDcpI4CIn8B526lN14Fu_I0nR1tZ0pzHVSvZ_u9g7MDNyVgFKWthib5Sy4PoALjAHoKiBklogWLTWkOT/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+102.JPG" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Or doors with this kind of hardware? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv23sQlCIRRYUCo0he-e0LTKmWxBGUseIhivDrMRgNfQqYkS-cKvqBKJem-27GrjsRF6rvb3I84Ke1PgeXA-XQw5qy767e3w_12uYNTilSjSsWBDKH84ePSn-ZXHTVZMY5VwhXH6K0C7_I/s1600/St+Augie+1-21-12+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv23sQlCIRRYUCo0he-e0LTKmWxBGUseIhivDrMRgNfQqYkS-cKvqBKJem-27GrjsRF6rvb3I84Ke1PgeXA-XQw5qy767e3w_12uYNTilSjSsWBDKH84ePSn-ZXHTVZMY5VwhXH6K0C7_I/s400/St+Augie+1-21-12+103.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seeing pirates walking the streets is no big deal - happens all the time. Certainly my idea of using a dead pirate as a character couldn't have been influenced by the history of a haunted town, a town ready to celebrate its 500th year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hoping to get back home soon - where inspiration lurks at every corner . . . & where I work best as <em>The Haunted City Writer</em>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's just after midnight - I'm going to write. Tonight. Finally. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-56761093362075097722011-10-16T15:43:00.000-04:002011-10-16T15:43:51.142-04:00What's In YOUR Attic?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You've spent countless hours crafting stories - tweaking, revising & rewriting. Maybe it's been your life's passion. Maybe it's a passion that's been kept secret. Your insecurity, maybe a fear of failure or criticism from a twenty-something-year-old literary agent, caused you to ignore the publishing options & you never put your work "out there" for the world to see. And all of those stories & manuscripts lie tucked away in boxes, maybe in the attic ..... </div><br />
Alas, your days come to an end & after a suitable mourning period, perhaps ten minutes following the funeral, family members rummage through your home disposing of anything they deem worthless - like boxes of meaningless old papers. And so it is - your stories are gone forever. <br />
<br />
What if you had a chance to hit the rewind button? Would you take your shot? Let's assume so.<br />
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Your grandkids have grandkids. One day they find YOUR BOOKS, yellowed & battered as they may be, but there they are. You've left something of your passion behind. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHrvyWdKK3NeyZQRJFxJoDOryBQ49qSjxXZ9qso68cP-7iUPCQZpJhr24CmCvearhAWJz1By90IUmqjSOnEKmqB__AKozFbDABSW1Fulx8YYngzHMLwKZFgvCrQwafn3C1Dep6ZaPoOWe/s1600/Reckless+Old.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHrvyWdKK3NeyZQRJFxJoDOryBQ49qSjxXZ9qso68cP-7iUPCQZpJhr24CmCvearhAWJz1By90IUmqjSOnEKmqB__AKozFbDABSW1Fulx8YYngzHMLwKZFgvCrQwafn3C1Dep6ZaPoOWe/s400/Reckless+Old.png" width="260" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z1Rtq-rsnyxw89VJOPzIBmLOnFyw84D1LjcsXgvrREjBSfWVQm1EWs2oIRNl4VmoMy7xQPFHkhnxrCo2iDnPWDK361CwA3M1ziUmmh0Mu8jW6froRxgVz_ROGBKDP1n2tgUiyTVnBWy3/s1600/OLD+Bad+Latitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7z1Rtq-rsnyxw89VJOPzIBmLOnFyw84D1LjcsXgvrREjBSfWVQm1EWs2oIRNl4VmoMy7xQPFHkhnxrCo2iDnPWDK361CwA3M1ziUmmh0Mu8jW6froRxgVz_ROGBKDP1n2tgUiyTVnBWy3/s400/OLD+Bad+Latitude.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> GALLOWS POINT (in progress)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zRuzi3FHLLuP2S3VOo9-bBqzumUysFMjiP6KRENBhcmuYn6Ma3B4aJPXTdZZ-XDhL2hJJsO2KbDcMGw4y-Zv-Eg0pXLUdbussE1V4r6qq6QxRMlajGg9PRT6wzFRRek5t0muJr1cXeLX/s1600/OLD+Gallos+Point.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zRuzi3FHLLuP2S3VOo9-bBqzumUysFMjiP6KRENBhcmuYn6Ma3B4aJPXTdZZ-XDhL2hJJsO2KbDcMGw4y-Zv-Eg0pXLUdbussE1V4r6qq6QxRMlajGg9PRT6wzFRRek5t0muJr1cXeLX/s320/OLD+Gallos+Point.png" width="320" /></a></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-88550874539230422372011-09-19T01:34:00.001-04:002011-09-19T01:35:59.398-04:00Imagine ThatOver the years I've written a bazillion letters, emails & narratives related to the challenging business of construction management, otherwise known as "my big boy job". There's never been anything remotely creative about any of that correspondence, other than touches of biting sarcasm, something I often struggle (with limited success) to control. I've always been one to get to the point & making friends, in business at least, has never been a priority. With that bit of background on the table, ME writing books for kids is still something I can't wrap my brain around. The two worlds are so opposite.<br />
<br />
Today we visited <a href="http://www.paulbaliker.com/">The Baliker Gallery</a> in Palm Coast to check out the sculptures of the very talented Paul Baliker. His work is incredible, especially the way he uses driftwood, like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYI8wXpnGCOn9QYoHGAkzxElBXsXA0n2InA4mqHlsXL9FDahP95ab2tPhMsGvIXrERGZUOzz89y2nhhrgG0CAEsAMe1BaSUiA3uLKLe4rPtq7-Qp2hnuSc9Znvl1gx6iAE6iBYBz1qbHo/s1600/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYI8wXpnGCOn9QYoHGAkzxElBXsXA0n2InA4mqHlsXL9FDahP95ab2tPhMsGvIXrERGZUOzz89y2nhhrgG0CAEsAMe1BaSUiA3uLKLe4rPtq7-Qp2hnuSc9Znvl1gx6iAE6iBYBz1qbHo/s400/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeCa0KUBSbsx2c-qfUQSQ4Z5NMN2RL9SC8u-HLGHvJ_iTdjrDYEK0z13KXu_d16ndDmRi5nCpZKbR96hzj-IcQmUDNvL5WShML9tqzIE9-Pf5Nn7yuu2k8aheJIViHpyHSDOIKZ_3Qlcu/s1600/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeCa0KUBSbsx2c-qfUQSQ4Z5NMN2RL9SC8u-HLGHvJ_iTdjrDYEK0z13KXu_d16ndDmRi5nCpZKbR96hzj-IcQmUDNvL5WShML9tqzIE9-Pf5Nn7yuu2k8aheJIViHpyHSDOIKZ_3Qlcu/s400/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+197.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>There's more on the website, all very click worthy - so check it out. But there was a bronze piece that caught my eye ... & would look great in my writing room. (Deb? It's only $4500!!!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEALJDY5K8-18eEiSS4JREiBa5l_fJx4onhZxmlejMrl0PomewWyi2mwU6yhBYx2KzXruR5jYDyU-cjd8xt9oHzh2i455Whb4S75WR_cYBpXxMzCAJaRypMChc8c3q4M3xvVUWWHjO0WZ1/s1600/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEALJDY5K8-18eEiSS4JREiBa5l_fJx4onhZxmlejMrl0PomewWyi2mwU6yhBYx2KzXruR5jYDyU-cjd8xt9oHzh2i455Whb4S75WR_cYBpXxMzCAJaRypMChc8c3q4M3xvVUWWHjO0WZ1/s400/Rodeo+%2526+Art+Show+219.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is named "Once Upon A Time". The kid is obviously readng a book (very cool) & his imagination, as you will "see" below is in high gear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Out of the blue, in July 2007 to be exact, I started writing. It was totally unplanned. There were no goals & zero expectations. It wasn't something I <strong><em>had</em></strong> to do. Nothing inside was screaming to get out, like many writers claim (or like the movie "Alien"). It just happened. Four years & two books later, grabbing a reader's imagination - & squeezing it with both hands - is my new brass ring.... or maybe it's bronze. Actually, it feels pretty good - finally having a goal. Guess that means I'm getting serious. Imagine that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're a writer - what made you take the plunge? Oh ... and what's the brass ring you're reaching for? </div><br />
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<strong><em></em></strong>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-69730766183992051382011-08-13T22:44:00.000-04:002011-08-13T22:44:40.534-04:00Click The Link - Whaddya Think?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2oCsyiw4NQNZb1Q7tLWutYPZ-z1s_DSTb4cPp9ZRW4QZ93m5j4GpZRnQyDFdP2TjwTMx5PlifreZk7UTt8dsrSHxQkENfeON0_5-bHrEKQh9NA_KDfgAhNN5rpMRUiJBrmRX_BOgJCOh/s1600/miami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2oCsyiw4NQNZb1Q7tLWutYPZ-z1s_DSTb4cPp9ZRW4QZ93m5j4GpZRnQyDFdP2TjwTMx5PlifreZk7UTt8dsrSHxQkENfeON0_5-bHrEKQh9NA_KDfgAhNN5rpMRUiJBrmRX_BOgJCOh/s400/miami.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Greetings from Miami. How 'bout that - a picture of Miami minus the traffic! We travel a lot. In fact, we're mapping out a couple of <strong>new</strong> adventures in the upcoming weeks, though the mode of transportation, in one case, is under serious debate. First on the agenda is a trip to The Dry Tortugas, about 70 miles offshore from Key West. I want to go by seaplane - Deb's thinkin' that a boat's the way to go, since she's not a great fan of small planes, especially the ones that land in the ocean. Time to negotiate. The 2nd trip planned is a little further south to the Virgin Islands - by boat. For the record, taking off & landing in a seaplane is a total rush. So how 'bout helpin' me out with a strategy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I get lots of emails askin' about the Rackhams & their lifestyle. It's true they're loaded, have a few awesome boats, including an 82' schooner named <em>Reckless Endeavor</em>, & they've recently built a second home in the Bahamas. In fact, here's a picture - taken from a seaplane I might add. It's much smaller than the house in St Augustine, but it's comfortable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyVEd5-9-RnPvbE1fuK_RyYZsaS5I5FZySrmgyaW8ZWwtD7HBjqdo429M6-A539s9NbNFA_eCcHxM3HsG7R-ORhS56vPWHbQ3cwqkPSY2okT6s7oeSrzSHpI5_4LxdgbMcrMcrn1cDpzB/s1600/Rackham+Mansion+Bahamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyVEd5-9-RnPvbE1fuK_RyYZsaS5I5FZySrmgyaW8ZWwtD7HBjqdo429M6-A539s9NbNFA_eCcHxM3HsG7R-ORhS56vPWHbQ3cwqkPSY2okT6s7oeSrzSHpI5_4LxdgbMcrMcrn1cDpzB/s400/Rackham+Mansion+Bahamas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where the Rackham tale is somewhat embellished in <em>Reckless</em> is the part about Nan being totally comfortable island hopping in a seaplane. Now the Rackhams have some very good friends, Eb & Flo, who own & operate <em>The Last Resort -</em> a secluded getaway in the middle of the islands. Flo pilots a yellow seaplane, 'cause it's easier & more fun to get around. In the story, Nan gets a kick out of cruising with Flo above the turquoise seas. In "real life" that's not quite true. The other day Flo sent Pop a picture of her new plane & he forwarded it to me to use for this post. (Sadly, the one in the book crashed in the Everglades, but at least it was insured.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5umoqNjRZI7s0TdEo9GFwaDlct1ruvsgPLWB0FuquURl1l5t_t3SooxK6_kjHVG2B4jqO8INuRON4CAYNpwvBRrh3JF2S2Yl_vqZmrhzjeIoZYtmvRGT9-tsvTQ_p092JbElCOCsACulX/s1600/seaplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5umoqNjRZI7s0TdEo9GFwaDlct1ruvsgPLWB0FuquURl1l5t_t3SooxK6_kjHVG2B4jqO8INuRON4CAYNpwvBRrh3JF2S2Yl_vqZmrhzjeIoZYtmvRGT9-tsvTQ_p092JbElCOCsACulX/s400/seaplane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This plane's a real beauty, dontcha think? Congrats, Flo! Can you think of any reason NOT to wanna fly in one of these babies? So back to my dilemma. How do I convince Deb to forget the boat n' give the seaplane a shot?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Sidebar - I really like reader comments. This one was posted on my FB by Matt Keever from Houston:</u></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-size: small;">Your book made me want to start talking like a pirate. The dialogue for Calico Jack is absolutely PERFECT. <br />
I actually read all of it aloud, which made me laugh harder than I have in quite some time. <br />
I'll write a short review of the book and put it on Amazon soon. Thanks for the great read, Dave.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><em><span style="font-size: small;">(Thanks, Matt.) </span></em> </h6><div class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}">Okay - now about the seaplane ..... Click the link - <a href="http://keywestseaplanecharters.com/?gclid=CP3g95ilzaoCFWMTNAodPWgPzw">Dry Tortugas</a> - Whaddya think??? <br />
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</div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-71250363585354874562011-07-16T22:11:00.002-04:002011-07-16T22:30:03.314-04:00A NEW POST - FINALLY!!!Someday I'll grow up - but what's the hurry? My grandson Jack is convinced I'm a real pirate. Have no idea why he would think such a thing. Do you? As usual, he spent his birthday (last week) with 'Pop' & 'Nan' here in St Augustine. That's me n' Jackman in the picture below. The beard is real - grown specifically for this shot. Of course, Deb wasn't thrilled with it during the weeks leading up to this photo, so the beard was neatly trimmed to its normal length about an hour after this picture was taken.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1eV7bmX6Unyzf3MDRpzm6LsH1CF1my-GEAhalxBA5GUJ2zkhRUfgjwnkfeD0i6sYot1LjoAza67J-gHCXTikLVWv7NFHWDloNBkRIS_1Rs4CinTpeADwPbabkdLGuWsjZopFvX5GFcij/s1600/Pirate+JPE+%2526+Pop+July+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1eV7bmX6Unyzf3MDRpzm6LsH1CF1my-GEAhalxBA5GUJ2zkhRUfgjwnkfeD0i6sYot1LjoAza67J-gHCXTikLVWv7NFHWDloNBkRIS_1Rs4CinTpeADwPbabkdLGuWsjZopFvX5GFcij/s400/Pirate+JPE+%2526+Pop+July+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course, we were well prepared for the kids' visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Say hello to Isabel. Everyone will get a better chance to know her once SPANKY AND THE SPECKLED BUTTER BEAN comes out. She's our lil' princess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPQnefi9JCbzPOcKIh-QQBSGitVjPeh-mMzdzkFCcTC-7LOGojRDu2vbH5ueDv5SMP1Jnwt2CWQLmlUcDscCEaWoA9Aicmv13OfOkVjzG_0vLTZJ_7rXwp9clfJTHiJRMaFq_nNIY6RcE/s1600/Kids+Visit+July+2011+458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPQnefi9JCbzPOcKIh-QQBSGitVjPeh-mMzdzkFCcTC-7LOGojRDu2vbH5ueDv5SMP1Jnwt2CWQLmlUcDscCEaWoA9Aicmv13OfOkVjzG_0vLTZJ_7rXwp9clfJTHiJRMaFq_nNIY6RcE/s400/Kids+Visit+July+2011+458.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, so I've been really busy & haven't posted for a coupla months. Have barely managed to visit & comment on my usual blog stops. But the kids returned to Pennsylvania & things are settlin' down. Well, not completely but I'm gettin' back into my writing projects & thinkin' it might be a good idea to start doin' some promotion on RECKLESS. (Ya think?)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, you ask, what else is up? Okay, you didn't ask. Well, there are 3 more stores now carrying my books, including a really busy touristy spot in Key West! Hint: Ever hear of the famous Conch Train Tours? I also received some great feedback on RECKLESS from a terrific author. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Author & columnist Mark LaFlamme posted an awesome review of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004O0U9IK">RECKLESS ENDEAVOR</a> on Amazon. Kinda made me wanna read the book myself. I'll post his kind words here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>5.0 out of 5 stars A high-seas page turner, July 15, 2011</em> </div><br />
By <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BOX-LIES-Mark-LaFlamme/dp/1609105699/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310865214&sr=1-1">Mark Laflamme</a> (Maine) - This review is from: Reckless Endeavor A Jack Rackham Adventure <br />
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David Ebright knows sailing. He knows the value of young friendships and he sure as hell knows adventure. <br />
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In Reckless Endeavor all three are vital to the lives of Jack Rackham and his circle of friends. The adventure in particular is not slow to come. As he did with Bad Latitude, the first in the Jack Rackham line, Ebright gets right to it. He doesn't mess around with intricate knots or long looks at the weather forecast, he sails his readers right into the eye of the storm. <br />
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It starts with some history, a pair of pirates brutalized in wretched prisons hundreds of years back. In short order, that history will collide with modern day where Jack Rackham is just beginning a new adventure. <br />
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After rescuing a homeless teenager from a knife-wielding lunatic and uncovering the secret of Mary, the spirit of a thief trapped in St. Augustine's Old Jail for one hundred years, Jack Rackham puts to sea with his friends in search of another lost treasture, this time aboard the magnificent schooner, Reckless Endeavor. As a reader, I made the same mistake I made when I began Bad Latitude - I assumed it was a book written largely for young people and that it would be short on grown-up chills. Again, I was wrong. The Hardy Boys, I'm afraid, would not last a night with Jack Rackham and his friends. In addition to high seas spooks - freak whirlpools and long-dead pirates rising from the mist - there are adult themes all over the place. Homelessness, loyalty, betrayal, love and greed are among them. Ebright weaves them into his story without steering away from the action, and the result is a high-seas page turner. <br />
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Ebright spins an impressive piece of fiction, but there is also a good bit of history to be found here. One of its main characters, after all, is Calico Jack, an English pirate who designed the Jolly Roger flag and who made a career out of plundering across the Bahamas in the early 18th century. In Reckless Endeavor, Ebright brings Calico Jack back to life and introduces him to young Jack Rackham, who bears a suspicious resemblance to the legendary pirate. The meeting might leave Jack Rackham and his friends fabulously wealthy or it could turn them into so much chum for the sharks. There's only one way to find out, bilge rats. Batten down the hatches, beat to quarters and take some Dramamine if you have to. Reckless Endeavor is one wild adventure. <br />
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Thanks, Mark. So there you have it. RECKLESS is a <strong><em>high seas page turner</em></strong> - as opposed to a run of the mill page turner! <br />
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Now for one more picture from last week which will show how, in our family anyway, the inability to properly enter adulthood with dignity is being passed along to the next generation. Here's my oldest son Mike (Jack's dad) at 6 feet & 180 pounds makin' my poor grandson tote him around on his new bike. Ol' Jack's got some strong legs. <br />
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</div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-17868537567720504022011-05-22T12:39:00.003-04:002011-05-22T19:36:55.453-04:00Do You Text?Deb loves the whole texting thing. She's just a youngin' - must give her an advantage. Me? Not so much. It's bad enough gettin' emails poppin' up on my cell phone. How 'bout you? You into it? Well, for people more <em>MY AGE</em> here's a brief tutorial. This should prove invaluable. Or maybe not. <br />
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<strong>TEXTING FOR SENIORS</strong><br />
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Since more and more "Seniors" are texting and tweeting there appears to be a need for an STC (Senior Texting Code). If you qualify for Senior Discounts this is the code for you! <br />
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ATD: At The Doctor's<br />
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BFF: Best Friend Fainted<br />
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BTW: Bring The Wheelchair<br />
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BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth<br />
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CBM: Covered By Medicare<br />
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CGU: Can't get up <br />
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DWI: Driving While Incontinent<br />
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FWBB: Friend With Beta Blockers<br />
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FWIW: Forgot Where I Was<br />
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FYI: Found Your Insulin<br />
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GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!<br />
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GHA: Got Heartburn Again<br />
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IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?<br />
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LOL: Living On Lipitor<br />
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OMMR: On My Massage Recliner<br />
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TTYL: Talk To You Louder<br />
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WAITT: Who Am I Talking To?<br />
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WTFA: Wet The Furniture Again<br />
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WWNO: Walker Wheels Need Oil<br />
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GGLKI: Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking In<br />
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Any suggestions to add to this list? PTH (post them here). CWTR (can't wait to read).David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-70522625446833808032011-04-26T21:47:00.000-04:002011-04-26T21:47:09.098-04:00Just Writin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eXzLhcFC_D_Fxqz5ZgP0O30vQ-vIU7GMSHCT3vG9PNpCSh0lX2UalBIqZfsdvMoBxA_tIm-MaJMW0NRKIIJzr0d0iQF_PNqKF-SN-PL4b4JXuw2L3uib1dIolwyLly8IJpfs65GDHKCw/s1600/writers-block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eXzLhcFC_D_Fxqz5ZgP0O30vQ-vIU7GMSHCT3vG9PNpCSh0lX2UalBIqZfsdvMoBxA_tIm-MaJMW0NRKIIJzr0d0iQF_PNqKF-SN-PL4b4JXuw2L3uib1dIolwyLly8IJpfs65GDHKCw/s1600/writers-block.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Plannin' 5 days of no work, no travel, no meetings, no internet, no phones - just writin'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Startin' this THURSDAY!</div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-21217833237559846532011-04-12T20:35:00.000-04:002011-04-12T20:35:17.586-04:00Stress Management Technique #27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals. It really works. You might even smile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDuhc__ssRqZoGVSO-TT3vr6barkFSy5cS5JB5aYMRNGoiCFD5u0l0d6Hkaw_bdS59DcsIvaPJUb-FbuRm7XdVoST0osK4CF2gw74RRQJZJ5t3InmnR7gs3GuMIEpO1Wn_hAm8sbo60Y_/s1600/Mountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDuhc__ssRqZoGVSO-TT3vr6barkFSy5cS5JB5aYMRNGoiCFD5u0l0d6Hkaw_bdS59DcsIvaPJUb-FbuRm7XdVoST0osK4CF2gw74RRQJZJ5t3InmnR7gs3GuMIEpO1Wn_hAm8sbo60Y_/s320/Mountains.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Picture yourself lying on your stomach on a warm rock that hangs out over a slow moving stream <br />
<br />
Your hands dangle in the cool running water <br />
Birds sing sweetly in the cool mountain air <br />
No one knows your secret place <br />
You're in total seclusion from that hectic place called 'the world' <br />
The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air - a cascade of serenity <br />
The water is crystal clear & you can easily see .....<br />
...... the face of the person you are holding underwaterDavid Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-70421112070278391762011-03-31T09:51:00.001-04:002011-03-31T09:53:53.775-04:00Hometown Setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FDUOcHg5ijg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Haven't been around much lately but thought y'all might like to see a music video filmed in my hometown of St Augustine, Florida. It's not a bad song either. I posted it on my FB page a few days ago. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime - Still working to get the paper version of <em>RECKLESS ENDEAVOR</em> out. Had a problem with a link to the cover art - a reference to a name that doesn't go along well with the stuff I write. Anyway - that's solved to everyone's satisfaction so I'm waiting to see the revised proof copy before cutting it loose. While this is all going on, RECKLESS is selling well as an ebook on Kindle, better than expected since I've had no time to breathe, let alone promote. While that's cool n' all, I'm stumped trying to figure out why the first book, <em>BAD LATITUDE</em> (on Kindle since January) is outselling RECKLESS. Seems like BL will jump ahead almost 2 to 1 & then there'll be a surge on RE to go neck n' neck. I only check the sales stats once or twice a week (when I think of it), so maybe it's common for this to happen with multiple titles. Whatever. What do I know about how it all works? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back to the video. There are lots of backgrounds in the video that are right out of BAD LATITUDE (set in St Augie, naturally - or maybe I should say supernaturally). The lighthouse - which is haunted by Hezekiah Pittee & his dead daughters. The seawall at The Castillo de San Marcos overlooking Matanzas Bay, where 2 of my characters meet & eventually share their first kiss. Must be a good place for kissin'. The pristine beach (they blocked vehicle access for the video shoot - we're allowed to drive on our beach). Then there are the quaint streets which are perfect for late night zombie chases or, if you're not into that - you can just check out the shops & galleries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">RECKLESS starts out in St Augustine, but moves on to the Bahamas, naturally requiring a sail through the Bermuda Triangle - which leads up to an encounter with a dead pirate on a mission. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So check out the video if ya feel like visitin' my town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's also a good website - <a href="http://www.augustine.com/">http://www.augustine.com/</a> that's worth clickin' on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully I'll get back to blogging soon - need to figure out a theme. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-19464377253653892582011-02-13T01:18:00.001-05:002011-02-13T01:20:46.597-05:00Bitter, Sweet by Laura BestI'm supposed to be finishing up some last minute tweaks on <em>RECKLESS ENDEAVOR</em>, things like a brief synopsis, for the Kindle, iPad & Nook versions, but I was sidetracked. It'll be a late night now for sure, but I'm gonna get it done. Have to. Anyway, it all started this afternoon when I stopped at the Post Office to pick up the mail .....<br />
<br />
There it was - Laura Best's book - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Sweet-Laura-Best/dp/1551097362/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268329485&sr=1-3">Bitter, Sweet</a>. So, I unwrapped it & started checking it out. Then I started reading. And then I kept reading. Had bought some rib-eye steaks for the grill earlier in the day. Instead of putting them on during daylight, I kept reading - until the book was finished. (It was completely dark when I fired up the grill. When I went outside & turned the steaks, I reached for the handle on the grill's lid - to close it - & since I couldn't see, missed it, & put my hand on the hot lid. I now have no fingerprints on my right hand.)<br />
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Sorry, back to the topic. (It's okay - I'm typing left handed.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c4r9JrRz88rLz5uLezjO9CuvY_LP4O5OsxmVKp_kwyNSDlo22TPIIXX5ms6UOOSV0rG5hJdchuju4mvX8vzH0ySVaS-NPNw39vcgAsCO8cCTTdWczG8S4Ta5bl5kxsBjvO0HOqd_Pdw8/s1600/Bitter%252C+Sweet+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1c4r9JrRz88rLz5uLezjO9CuvY_LP4O5OsxmVKp_kwyNSDlo22TPIIXX5ms6UOOSV0rG5hJdchuju4mvX8vzH0ySVaS-NPNw39vcgAsCO8cCTTdWczG8S4Ta5bl5kxsBjvO0HOqd_Pdw8/s400/Bitter%252C+Sweet+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, now I'm not a writerly literary genius or even a student of the craft, & don't pretend to be. And usually I favor action packed novels, thrillers, mysteries, sometimes horror & I write adventure tales for kids - but that's not gonna stop me from offering my thoughts on Bitter, Sweet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all - this book is flat out entertaining. It is also very well written, IMHO. The characters have unique personalities. The scene description is balanced - not overdone - enough to pull the reader into the setting without disrupting the flow of the story. The dialogue is strong - each character's voice stands out. It's easy to get a real feel for the poverty, the loss, the heartache & the family's ultimate struggle to put up a 'united front' in order to survive. Well, <a href="http://lauraabest.wordpress.com/">Laura</a> has managed to make all of her words count & created a remarkable story. Very impressive. A terrific read. Thumbs up, my friend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, I'm off to soak my hand .... Oh yeah, click the Amazon link & buy Laura's book. Go on. Hurry!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-90675160009765896832011-02-07T21:36:00.000-05:002011-02-07T21:36:59.341-05:00Hangin' Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQykkpW1LNF9J_A8OgFLIvl5T3WCXCG0A2R65l30npVZqY31IdB50VPeibkWh5jqYWUx2KX0zjmmwXvMMStnggEhwkEKv28ppgH95co4IgtSGxg1NQELQo-4Mehsljvy3OihpleOZLvXEE/s1600/Old+Jail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQykkpW1LNF9J_A8OgFLIvl5T3WCXCG0A2R65l30npVZqY31IdB50VPeibkWh5jqYWUx2KX0zjmmwXvMMStnggEhwkEKv28ppgH95co4IgtSGxg1NQELQo-4Mehsljvy3OihpleOZLvXEE/s400/Old+Jail+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been just kinda hangin' out lately, doin' research on a buncha stuff that's gonna be in the next book, which is already underway. The picture above is from The Old Jail in St Augustine. The jail provides a fun chapter location in<em> RECKLESS</em> for one of the "adventures". It was also necessary to do some readin' up on how hangings were carried out, since that's how Calico Jack Rackham met his end in 1720. That little detail doesn't stop him from visiting his young descendant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Right now I'm into Aztecs, jungles, and caves.... with a few twists, of course. I'll need some first hand cave experience, you know, for realism's sake, so there's gotta be a trip in our future (get your camera ready, Deb!). Maybe after the pirate invasion in Tampa later this month. In the meantime, I'm doing my usual poor job of marketing & promotion, in the weeks leading up to the release of the latest Jack Rackham Adventure - might be on Kindle & Nook in a week, not sure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-DlYDetIr7d_v46ZQi2AH-_SyNu2SfL9C5cN8YjlRZzd66NlX0H0LorIUoQ9YuUASmMkRBX_nlAqMcjm_jPe-Dp4XvLfSowL9idFJwrK1FtHxb60V1OKwbSjWP19qbtmaUmiBD-TIcCn/s1600/blue+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-DlYDetIr7d_v46ZQi2AH-_SyNu2SfL9C5cN8YjlRZzd66NlX0H0LorIUoQ9YuUASmMkRBX_nlAqMcjm_jPe-Dp4XvLfSowL9idFJwrK1FtHxb60V1OKwbSjWP19qbtmaUmiBD-TIcCn/s400/blue+cave.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38rK38GMAIX6GlX-Mz9Ed7JoYaIhpkTlSgbp_6vEjCdVZC8KunT8MWJUC569b4EvQmNrSP3Oq92Z39qhjjvq9GOoaq2tgt5PS7wbHPZOVZhZ7sER4O2uuLdj943tZjSTlsjMrbiK3a9lc/s1600/CenoteCaveSacredBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38rK38GMAIX6GlX-Mz9Ed7JoYaIhpkTlSgbp_6vEjCdVZC8KunT8MWJUC569b4EvQmNrSP3Oq92Z39qhjjvq9GOoaq2tgt5PS7wbHPZOVZhZ7sER4O2uuLdj943tZjSTlsjMrbiK3a9lc/s400/CenoteCaveSacredBlue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYRdifLjK-eZXi7zn6vAm_12dxnGSHk-3VmNOaBvkjtyzaJNVA7JrvOps-wmX4zUoxpLKE6PwJ-kufFa7q39-SB-tOmUydVQl7if1b2caoz3R77tsb-vFlbDwYqf4AYFMegXcwHnsL10L/s1600/Jangle_Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYRdifLjK-eZXi7zn6vAm_12dxnGSHk-3VmNOaBvkjtyzaJNVA7JrvOps-wmX4zUoxpLKE6PwJ-kufFa7q39-SB-tOmUydVQl7if1b2caoz3R77tsb-vFlbDwYqf4AYFMegXcwHnsL10L/s400/Jangle_Cave.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, I've been kinda quiet lately but I ain't just sittin' around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmDfa69UmE_iE2qyunbQxIq_JCFVuGiBGatb1u2gvVAzNLeCI2t69uFGZ3F6w7MaBGOza42U_WC8Lvrjvk58JMo4VhvdkVK2rix6P6uIVzQZaagajPXh9HpI3AVdZLGdAhvGee96FG5qT/s1600/Delray++-+Dave+in+chair+Profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmDfa69UmE_iE2qyunbQxIq_JCFVuGiBGatb1u2gvVAzNLeCI2t69uFGZ3F6w7MaBGOza42U_WC8Lvrjvk58JMo4VhvdkVK2rix6P6uIVzQZaagajPXh9HpI3AVdZLGdAhvGee96FG5qT/s400/Delray++-+Dave+in+chair+Profile+pic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-69807761795797648222011-01-07T20:24:00.000-05:002011-01-07T20:24:42.142-05:00Jack Rackam Is Back<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Guess what's happenin' this month .... Give y'all one hint .... </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3-mx9qMoBo17WmK_VdesCWHVNrJTuwcvWVK8PuoXBuLr9HF2rfxJlRtd4OEyvLQCzVvemXmZzCkug_uxhaEp9GO53OqhQWr9x7SwMM4qSqEP1kdyQhukK9GcN9l0PfCcCqkQs7dAxLj3/s1600/Reckless_HighRes%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3-mx9qMoBo17WmK_VdesCWHVNrJTuwcvWVK8PuoXBuLr9HF2rfxJlRtd4OEyvLQCzVvemXmZzCkug_uxhaEp9GO53OqhQWr9x7SwMM4qSqEP1kdyQhukK9GcN9l0PfCcCqkQs7dAxLj3/s640/Reckless_HighRes%255B2%255D.jpg" width="416" /></a></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-17630624060887369682010-12-31T21:05:00.000-05:002010-12-31T21:05:57.629-05:00Think I Need A Compass?<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT7zoX_Zu94XQCN7N4VZ9AhUr0VQB7ZTRmmTQL6uoyGOJen_23MQtvjwo9OKNNsqmz-Wbq1I7ZVa5PHQ9ztCBbIYOPlysYHMHbAXn6YizQIQfbnOmY5cofLFN8OL8suOy2Qi9MRByOcZj/s1600/compass.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT7zoX_Zu94XQCN7N4VZ9AhUr0VQB7ZTRmmTQL6uoyGOJen_23MQtvjwo9OKNNsqmz-Wbq1I7ZVa5PHQ9ztCBbIYOPlysYHMHbAXn6YizQIQfbnOmY5cofLFN8OL8suOy2Qi9MRByOcZj/s320/compass.gif" width="311" /></a></div><br />
I'm not much for looking back & can't recall ever making New Year's resolutions, so I won't start now, but........ <br />
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Going through files & docs, I noticed that the RECKLESS draft was pretty much done in 2009 & here it is only 3 hours from 2011 & it's still "not out" (waiting for the final cover art). Guess that's partly due to working out of town. Also, in my defense, I did chop out a big portion of the book to use as a launching point for the next book, a story that I really like, resulting in a major rewrite of the ending for RE. (Hint: The ending for RECKLESS is, hmmmm, better not say anything yet.) <br />
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So did I miss out on any opportunities? Maybe. Does it matter? Dunno. Can't do anything about it now. I'm a little late to the ebook party, but that'll change within the next week or two. <br />
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I allowed myself 10 minutes to think about 2010 - beyond 10 minutes, it's all a blur anyway. This time last year I was working out of the company's office in Jacksonville, griping every day about being stuck inside behind a desk, putting numbers together. We had bid a job for Amtrak that the 'Powers That Be' almost bailed out on 'cause they decided the job was too complicated. In the meantime, we were looking at a really lean year for moneymaking projects so the railroad project was muy importante. Poof! January arrived. We were awarded the Amtrak job that was too complicated to take on & the 'Powers That Be' designated me as 'The Guy' to do the job, which meant a 16 month gig out of town. Funny, nowadays, working out of the office doesn't seem like such a bad option. (I haven't seen my office for 50 weeks. Wonder what it looks like.) <br />
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For the most part, the blog's been on a yearlong hiatus, with the odd post thrown in from time to time - an artificial sign of life. Writing was hit or miss. Impossible at the hotel, slightly better at the condo, much improved at the little house that we rented. Promotion? ZERO. I couldn't do any book signings, cancelled plans for a couple of book festivals, & couldn't attend the FWA Writers Conference or the RPLA Awards Banquet. Perfect batting average on marketing overall.<br />
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Wonder what'll happen in 2011. I want to get the 3rd book out. I'd like to do some promotion. Blogging regularly again would be kinda cool. Finding a coupla beta readers might be a plus & losing 15 pounds couldn't be a bad thing. Well, I'm still not makin' any resolutions - 'cept to finish this project n' go home, to my real house. <br />
<br />
I wonder if I just need a compass. GPS? A set direction? A game plan? Map? Would these require makin' resolutions? Hope not. <br />
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How 'bout you? Any goals or resolutions rattlin' around in your cranium that you'll try to ignore? <br />
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Happy 2011. <br />
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David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-38241110113780380862010-12-26T21:16:00.001-05:002010-12-26T21:58:21.489-05:00Blog "Stuff"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowKitdE0Uu3eQPe_Gd9GkKWl_boQHshDBXkcdNdS1GBLtwz_0fwdROM57wwCfPcx5FUEAr1k7Bh6YUd5jLGFUnPtPiPO03qbE8b1h8Gelc-wP4nYulJpNv9UxhKQ_xTIrm8LnzJAPM0m8/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowKitdE0Uu3eQPe_Gd9GkKWl_boQHshDBXkcdNdS1GBLtwz_0fwdROM57wwCfPcx5FUEAr1k7Bh6YUd5jLGFUnPtPiPO03qbE8b1h8Gelc-wP4nYulJpNv9UxhKQ_xTIrm8LnzJAPM0m8/s400/focus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all, hope everyone had a very nice Christmas. I haven't been online much these past few weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We're working through the cover art <em>again</em> for RECKLESS, trying to get it just right. Being pig-headed, as usual. While that's going on, I'm polishing & fine-tuning the final MS while working on the follow up Jack Rackham Adventure. I should be working to create "buzz" before RECKLESS is let loose, you know, blogging & such, but (a) I'm way too focused on the final product & (b) I'm terrible about elbowing my way around to even mention my books, especially on someone else's site. Personally, I tend to avoid blogs totally dedicated to the promotion of an author's work. Blogs, IMHO, should be give & take. It's fine to incorporate promotion into the mix, but getting to "know" folks, including their opinions, is entertaining & often educational. (The fact that the "I" word has been used 7 times in this post is uncomfortable enough.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So how do y'all do it (mix blog posts & promo) without becoming a self-centered bore? How do you attract followers with whom to share ideas? (There are 30 followers on JaxPop, only 5 on the newer <a href="http://jackrackhamadventures.blogspot.com/">Jack Rackham Adventures</a> blog). I (#8) dunno, maybe it's best to just stick with storytellin', but I'd (#9) sure like to get some opinions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-49908273266755968752010-12-05T00:58:00.002-05:002010-12-06T11:20:31.170-05:00DEAD WITNESSI recently finished reading a novel, <a href="http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/">DEAD WITNESS</a>, written by my blogging friend Joylene Butler. Now I'm not one to write reviews, & I won't rave about a book if I don't honestly find it rave-worthy, but this is a really terrific story, one very much worth reading.<br />
<br />
Valerie McCormick witnesses the murder of 2 FBI agents. She tries to do the right thing, reporting what she's seen, but the authorities botch the opportunity to capture the killer. Since only her testimony can put away the murderous drug lord, she becomes his target. The order is out, make her the DEAD WITNESS, whatever the cost. The FBI & RCMP join forces to protect Valerie, but the cartel has infiltrated all levels of law enforcement. To protect her 3 daughters, she will make choices and sacrifices that go beyond extreme, even for a loving & protective mother. <br />
<br />
I don't want to give away too much of the story, because there are several well-done plot twists & surprises. The tension ramps up consistently throughout & the pacing is great. The characters work well, very believable - Joylene gets the reader to "lock in". I particularly liked the protagonist, Valerie, who transforms from the desperate, sometimes despondent - easily led victim, to the still conflicted, but take charge protector, willing to take any risk or pay any price to save her family. <br />
<br />
So there you have it - my 2 cents. If you like suspense, I recommend DEAD WITNESS very highly, giving it 2 thumbs up & a well-deserved standing ovation. Great job Joylene - it was entertaining & captivating, (&, gee, I don't think I've ever used the word captivating in a sentence before). <br />
<br />
BTW - Don't forget to check out the new joint - <a href="http://jackrackhamadventures.blogspot.com/">http://jackrackhamadventures.blogspot.com/</a> I've been busy trying to get that one off the ground. <br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6amDb1VmOk4Rn2MpSAQM2hTS9p6AjWLjFYoGuLCIzgvVMym7R7X1oJXFUKJHBbX9K1kBS2PZ1BHBlr5-K16JWRs36a5g8Ns_tYaaIpmSPUclCQFqNCR7J6OZEYs4Yk55U_Wl6Wvrpg9J_/s1600/Joylene%2527s+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6amDb1VmOk4Rn2MpSAQM2hTS9p6AjWLjFYoGuLCIzgvVMym7R7X1oJXFUKJHBbX9K1kBS2PZ1BHBlr5-K16JWRs36a5g8Ns_tYaaIpmSPUclCQFqNCR7J6OZEYs4Yk55U_Wl6Wvrpg9J_/s400/Joylene%2527s+Book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-73899891581134686152010-12-02T17:05:00.002-05:002010-12-02T17:25:37.029-05:00Short, Sick & Inspired?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYlFJSUbt0Cbj2CfKSASvI0j65MVGe4Drw71KqKxMJY3qj1C0z81W2SF_4VEVNpb5UG6n3Kzsd4GAVu0THglu4Se3OIkx_XZvX5LPYrYmmUCwugmKzustwVqPDcV6BizQ6P2ClJu0WBHg/s1600/creative-writing-prompts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYlFJSUbt0Cbj2CfKSASvI0j65MVGe4Drw71KqKxMJY3qj1C0z81W2SF_4VEVNpb5UG6n3Kzsd4GAVu0THglu4Se3OIkx_XZvX5LPYrYmmUCwugmKzustwVqPDcV6BizQ6P2ClJu0WBHg/s400/creative-writing-prompts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In an effort to remain pointless.......</div><br />
<br />
Ever write from a prompt? I've done it a few times for fun. In one case, I was given a miniscule time limit (hour or 2?) & 4 words to incorporate into a very short story. The words provided were: Ingredients, mole, windowpane, & ..... sorry, the 4th excapes me. I'm gonna post it below. <br />
<br />
So what to do for the topic. Hmmm.... I'm from suburban Philadelphia, truly an inspiring kind of place, for characters especially. It's the home of cheese steaks, throwing snowballs at Santa, cops shooting cats to get them down from trees, & South Philly mobsters with Italian names. Okay, I made that part up about the cops & cats, but, once upon a time 30 years or so ago, the Mayor ordered the police to bomb a house from a helicopter & the fire wiped out most of a neighborhood. Ah, the memories. <br />
<br />
Anyway, I jumped back to my roots & the 'good old days' for this very short (BUT NOT YA) story. <br />
<br />
And cut me some slack - I needed a break from the kid stuff......<br />
<br />
A HANDFUL OF INGREDIENTS <br />
<br />
<br />
The bespectacled little man with the bow tie and bad comb over crossed Callowhill Street and walked toward the converted row home with the battered sign announcing, <em>Ciarlante’s Meats – Best Steak Sandwiches In South Philly</em>. This was his first visit to the City of Brotherly Love and he was anxious to sample the famous specialty that the locals had so enthusiastically recommended. His saliva glands kicked into high gear with anticipation. <br />
<br />
A bell jingled overhead as he entered the shop. Behind the meat case stood a fiftyish looking man with a prominent mole staring out from the bridge of his nose, resembling a misplaced third eye. He was thick through the middle and wore a soiled white apron, the name Carmine stitched across the pocket of his grimy shirt. Another man, sitting at a small table along the wall below a no-smoking sign, puffed away on a Lucky Strike. The ashtray overflowed with stale butts and two crumpled packets kept company with one that was newly opened. The little man timidly approached the greasy counter. ‘Three eyes’ stood silent, waiting to take his order. <br />
<br />
“Hello. I’ve heard how t-tasty Philadelphia steak sandwiches are and decided t-to t-try one,” he stammered.<br />
<br />
“Yeah. So?” <br />
<br />
“Uh. Could I get one?” <br />
<br />
“One what?” <br />
<br />
“A steak sandwich.” <br />
<br />
"Fried onions?”<br />
<br />
“Uh… if that’s an ingredient that you recommend, certainly.”<br />
<br />
“Ingredient?” <br />
<br />
“Uh, yes, you know, like a condiment, used to enhance flavor.”<br />
<br />
“I know what ingredient means. Do I look like some ignorant dipshit?” <br />
<br />
Shocked by the surly reply, the man inched backwards. “No no, not at all. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to sound …..”<br />
<br />
“Ah, don’t worry ‘boudit. I’m just in a shitty friggin’ mood. So you want dat steak witt?” <br />
<br />
“Witt?” <br />
<br />
“Yeah. Witt.” <br />
<br />
“Uh, witt? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that term.” <br />
<br />
Carmine shook his head and looked over to the man at the table. “Lou, tell ‘im what’s witt.”<br />
<br />
Lou never looked up from his racing form. “Cheese. D’ya want friggin’ cheese witt da steak?” <br />
<br />
The man felt sweat beading up across his upper lip. “S.. sure. Cheese. I’d like Swiss cheese please. Yes, Swiss, that would be fine.” <br />
<br />
“I knew you was an asshole the minute you walked in da place. We don’t do no Swiss. You get a steak witt American or wittout.” Carmine nodded to the chain smoker, and pointed toward the horrified customer with his thumb. “We need to do somethin’ about dis shithead.”<br />
<br />
Shaking, the stranger moved toward the door but found his path blocked by the hulking Lou who shoved him roughly toward the register. Eyes squinting against cigarette smoke; Lou pulled the shade over the cracked window pane and twisted the door lock before flipping the closed sign to face the street. <br />
<br />
“Bring the son of a bitch back here so’s I can show ‘im what ingredients go in a cheese steak,” barked Carmine as he moved toward a stainless steel meat slicer. <br />
<br />
“You can’t be serious. I…. I didn’t do anything,” pleaded the terrified out-of-towner. <br />
<br />
Lou grabbed him around the shoulders with one arm, locked onto his neck with the other, and shoved him behind the counter. Carmine clamped his hand over the man’s puny wrist, and yanked him toward the machine, holding the hand inches from the slicer while he reached for the toggle switch. <br />
<br />
“You can’t do this! I’m begging you guys. I’ll give you whatever you want. I won’t call the cops. I swear. I’ll leave and never come back,” he wailed, struggling against the crushing grip of the two thugs. <br />
<br />
“I toldja. I’m in a shitty mood today. I gotta do somethin’ to get myself in a better frame of mind. Ain’t nothin’ personal. What’s your name again?” asked Carmine.<br />
<br />
“I never said.” <br />
<br />
“Well, tell me now shit-for-brains.” <br />
<br />
“Chuck. My name’s Chuck. I swear. I’ll leave town right now and keep my mouth shut.” <br />
<br />
“Okay Chuck. Hey Louie, maybe we oughtta let ‘im go. I’m feelin’ much better now.”<br />
<br />
“Aw c’mon, Carmine, I wanna watch dis guy bleed,” said Lou. <br />
<br />
Carmine sighed. “Sorry Chuck. Lou’s been bored lately. I don’t like when he’s bored. Now pay attention ‘cause dis is how we get the first of our four ingreeeeedients.” <br />
<br />
Chuck’s screams were stifled by Lou’s forearm as the toggle was flipped. Carmine grinned as he shoved the hand against the spinning blade, working the mechanism in a rhythmic back and forth motion. Paper-thin pieces of the hand filtered through the machine, dropping neatly onto a sheet of bloody wrapping paper. For Chuck, the pain and sight of four-fingered lunchmeat proved unbearable and, as his bladder emptied, he lost consciousness. <br />
<br />
“Let’s fry it up n’ make ‘im eat it,” said Lou. “And don’t forget da cheese.” <br />
<br />
“Nah. See if he’s carryin’ any cash, then dump his wimpy ass behind the Island Avenue scrap yard. Tell ‘im he keeps his mouth shut, or he’s dead,” Carmine ordered. <br />
<br />
Lou knelt beside the maimed customer, extracted a billfold and stared at the man’s ID. “Dis ain’t good Carmine. Da son of a bitch works for the IRS.” <br />
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The butcher ripped the blood-soaked apron from around his neck and threw it across the counter. “Holy shit!” He leaned against the refrigerated meat case, staring at the floor, thinking of a solution. <br />
<br />
The minutes passed and Carmine scratched absently at the repulsive mole. After collecting his thoughts, he looked up and smiled. “Drag him into da back room, Lou. We're gonna run a special tomorrow … on ground Chuck.”<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH1JQYTSOwKAvYrs4tftBmbEd1t3qEUJZsWh0n8f5NGrrqczqyZCWztcSPTKJ0WRhIWJeo8zogyXHgRu5kXHBQqRWaC0givjFPnzQm5Af8B_3QUU11sJG5UD5dS96PY7FWolDJtWs04qK/s1600/cheesesteak_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH1JQYTSOwKAvYrs4tftBmbEd1t3qEUJZsWh0n8f5NGrrqczqyZCWztcSPTKJ0WRhIWJeo8zogyXHgRu5kXHBQqRWaC0givjFPnzQm5Af8B_3QUU11sJG5UD5dS96PY7FWolDJtWs04qK/s400/cheesesteak_lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mmmmmmmmm..........</div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-20857455109502352592010-11-21T23:40:00.003-05:002010-11-21T23:50:08.744-05:00Publishing Options? Clear As Mud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2Go2XYh2LwXHW4IGrRZA8c0bh96b0OPHRJlvVBBiO785MqhD8iHY3U7DWImnVvOC4SFMe4nBiAKA13LpvKtSfP3DLbUz9SGC83Frah8xtTRkUTL68FSVPHtLCr9eEAuaKkDoTLEIeNQk/s1600/analyzing-rfps-part-2-writing-a-global-rfp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2Go2XYh2LwXHW4IGrRZA8c0bh96b0OPHRJlvVBBiO785MqhD8iHY3U7DWImnVvOC4SFMe4nBiAKA13LpvKtSfP3DLbUz9SGC83Frah8xtTRkUTL68FSVPHtLCr9eEAuaKkDoTLEIeNQk/s400/analyzing-rfps-part-2-writing-a-global-rfp.gif" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Skip this post 'cause it's gonna be about (<em>yawn</em>) publishing, a topic that I tend to avoid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm taking the entire week off, sort of, & managed to squeeze in a couple of hours at a writers group meeting yesterday where the focus was on publishing trends & options. There were 6 panelists, each given about 10 minutes to describe their particular experience / areas of expertise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Cooperative Publishing</u> - I didn't quite understand the concept of a "co-investment" - the presenter was enthusiastic enough, but it sure sounded like the author would need to part with some big bucks. To be fair, 10 minutes doesn't provide much time for explaining things in detail, but I was surprised that the phrase "breaking even financally" was repeated so often. The website offered no worthwhile info. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Traditional Publishing (small press)</u> - The speaker regaled us with how he was signed by a small royalty paying traditional publisher .... & then explained that his publisher recently changed direction, to focus on eco-topics for their catalog. So now that (talented) author is out in the cold? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>E Publishing</u> - Pubit, Smashwords, Kindle, iBooks. The new next best thing. It can be done for free on B&N's Pubit. Wow! Wonder what kind of "stuff" will show up on e-readers now? Free! Great! Right? ("You can upload everything yourself - but it may lack certain formatting qualities.") Huh? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Print On Demand</u> - The author/speaker used a POD company that I KNOW is outrageously expensive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Self Publishing</u> by way of setting up an LLC & entering agreements with Ingram & Lightning Source. Okay, but it's either a POD or someone's got a huge garage stocked with books. This author/publisher also works with other authors, a handful of titles per year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sidebar<em> - One suggestion was made & repeated - Use scattershot email marketing blitzes to publicize books.</em> Fellas, THAT'S CALLED SPAM! Totally disagreed with that bit of advice. Sorry, had to vent. I don't open email from unknowns. Ever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hmmmm........ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Cooperative Method</u>? Well, I broke even within the first 30 days of getting my 1st book on the street, & that was without much promotion. (As usual - I was out of town, Chicago, when BAD LATITUDE came out.) I should point out that I have niche market which helps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Traditional / Small Press</u>? Assuming the query is great & the work is accepted (big assumptions - but play along here) .... It takes so looooong. You have to sign over rights, have no control over cover art, advances are low, if offered at all. What happens when a small press changes course or closes up shop? And then there's the royalty thing. If the author is doing 80 to 90% of the work, why settle for a 7 or 10% cut? Forget the 'validaton' argument - that's never been in play for me. Is there really a distribution advantage? A marketing budget? Shelf life? Shelf space? I dunno. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>E-Pub</u> scares me. Yeah, I know, there are some authors raking in the dough, but is the quality going to suffer so badly as to scare readers off? All I know is, <u><em>read excerpts before hitting the "buy" button</em></u>. I have a Kindle & an iPad & only buy 1 e-book for every 10 (maybe 15) excerpts that I read. The big news at the gathering was <em>'start to finish - you can have your book on Nook within 48 hours'</em>. From a reader's standpoint - is this really a good thing? As a writer, I'm no Steinbeck or Twain, but I TRY to get it right. The 'gatekeeper' debate may have some merit, based on some e-samples that I've gagged over. Currently, Amazon & others offer the 70% "royalty" - will that be the case next year or 5 years from now? Is it going to drop to say, 10% once e-devices are better established? Am I going to put my stuff on e-readers? That's a definitive maybe - Still on that fence. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>POD</u>? I like that, as an author, you don't have to buy a bazillion books. The practice of shipping & returning books always seemed stupid to me as a business model so that bit of idiocy is eliminated via the POD method. The downside? The selling price is annoyingly high. Cost is based on page count. If, like me, you have retailers selling your books, the product has to be heavily discounted (from the author's share of course) since you're adding a 4th "profit margin" (following POD company, printer, & author - hey, have I missed anyone?). Creative control, & retaining all rights - huge plus. Now there are several POD companies out there & the range in prices & services offered is mind boggling. Generally speaking, I'd stay away from the ones with tiered packages & upcharges. Most use the same printer/distributor anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Self Publishing - as a company</u>? I can't even imagine the time investment required - not with my life. Branching out to handle other authors? No way. Might work if the day job thing wasn't a factor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what did I take away from all of this? Well, the bulk of the work, regardless of publishing method, still falls on the author. Five examples offered on "the way to do it" &, in all cases, it's still the author's responsibility (beyond just the writing) to create an online presence, market the books, attend conferences & workshops, network like crazy, (oh yeah, & hire an independent editor in most of these scenarios).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Clear as mud, but at least there are options. Guess that's a good thing. <em>RECKLESS ENDEAVOR</em> is being polished up & soon I'm gonna hafta decide which direction to take. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Suggestions?</div><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-63071840913784033842010-11-07T18:21:00.002-05:002010-11-08T08:04:04.412-05:00Our Brush With The LawIt's tough when you're workin' out of town tryin' to keep track of "stuff" while splittin' time between 2 places. There's passwords, codes, PIN numbers, & account access - all multiplied by 2. <br />
<br />
So we get 'home' after some running around here in Ft Lauderdale. Walk in the house & I punch in the alarm code to shut the system down. Problem was, I either used the alarm code from our house in St Augustine or the electronic combination lock number from the front door. Hurried up & plugged in the right code number, but it was too late, the alarm screeched - a short burst, then stopped. <br />
<br />
Deb retrieved her phone from her camera bag, waiting for the security company to call (which is what they're suppposed to do) so she could give them the code & 'super secret word' (which I don't even know - Deb set the thing up) so they'll clear the system. No call. (This is supposed to come within a minute or two.) <br />
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Okay, no big deal. Figured the blip was probably missed & all is well. Go about our business. <br />
<br />
10 minutes later, there's someone pounding on the door. Deb says "It's the cops!"<br />
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I laugh - "Yeah, right."<br />
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Answered the door. It <em><strong>IS</strong></em> the cops. 2 of 'em! And they're huge! One's on the front porch, the other is standing at an angle next to the walkway, hand on holster. Our escape is blocked! <br />
<br />
I invite them in. Calm, cool, collected. Cop #2 looks itchy. Eyes dartin' around. <br />
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Big Cop #1 - "We got an alarm." <br />
<br />
Me - "I hit the wrong code number when we came in. Thought I'd corrected it."<br />
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Big Cop #1 - "Can I see some ID?" <br />
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Me - "Sure. I'll get my wallet." <br />
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Big Cop #2 to Deb - "Do you live here?"<br />
<br />
Deb - "No."<br />
<br />
Cop #2 - "Uh, say that again." Hand goes to the butt of his gun.<br />
<br />
Deb - "We live in St Augustine." <br />
<br />
Me - (interrupting) "We're just renting this house. She means that our real home is in St Augustine."<br />
<br />
Now we both have to show ID & I proceed with providing a more detailed 'explanation' as to why we <strong>do</strong> but <strong>don't</strong> live here. (A Desi & Lucy moment.) <br />
<br />
Big Cop #1 to Big Cop #2 after matching our IDs - "They're okay. To me he says - "You should call the alarm company - get them to clear it." Very serious. No smiles. All business. Good cops. <br />
<br />
Me - "Sure." (Yeah right - I don't even know the name of the security company!) <br />
<br />
Deb invites the cops for dinner.<br />
<br />
They politely decline the invitation & leave. (The neighbors have now abandoned their hiding spots behind the shades. Probably sayin' 'Lookit them new people - stirrin' up trouble in our neighborhood. ) <br />
<br />
Deb tries calling the alarm company - GETS AN ANSWERING MACHINE after pressing 37 numbers! <br />
<br />
Me - "Figures. It'll probaby cost $50 for a false alarm charge 'cause no one's working the weekend." <br />
<br />
Deb - "From now on, I'll take care of the codes."<br />
<br />
Me - "From now on, I ain't settin' the damn alarm." <br />
<br />
So now I can't get this song outta my head.<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISyPz5XRyI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iISyPz5XRyI</a>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860392162017699273.post-25178629917124846532010-10-26T22:41:00.006-04:002010-11-21T16:30:48.004-05:00Close CallIt was a close call. Almost made it to my first ever writers conference.<br />
<br />
As usual, my plans were wiped out by job-related stuff that pretty much shot my weekend to you know where. So I missed out on the experience & the opportunity to see what kind of shenanigans take place at these writerly shindigs. Oh well. Networking? Self-promotion? Speakin' up in a workshop??? YIKES!!!<br />
<br />
Can you tell I'm stallin'? <br />
<br />
Well, I got some good news, but it'll sound kinda braggy. How 'bout a picture of my granddaughter Isabel holdin' up some loser's book instead? She's only smilin' 'cause she can't read the dang thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MzoYe4AxaaSypMYxI2MV3N0yQLxOKA6GNUAWF_Vwb7IKQVGYaG3jMUJSHFmUN-7m4DxNyzRdSXWJnVMMExvgNrLZMbw8w_ZpKZ55peahwkk-WjP81YP311aU9ayyhKM-ohVgVZyQsPSF/s1600/Bell+&+Book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MzoYe4AxaaSypMYxI2MV3N0yQLxOKA6GNUAWF_Vwb7IKQVGYaG3jMUJSHFmUN-7m4DxNyzRdSXWJnVMMExvgNrLZMbw8w_ZpKZ55peahwkk-WjP81YP311aU9ayyhKM-ohVgVZyQsPSF/s400/Bell+&+Book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yeah, she's cute. Gets 'er looks from Deb. Has me wrapped around her finger. Also like Deb. (Still stallin'.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway - <em>The Florida Writers Association</em> (FWA) held their conference without me. The good news (almost done stalling), BAD LATITUDE A Jack Rackham Adventure managed to make the cut as a finalist for the <em>Royal Palm Literary Award</em> for Published Young Adult fiction. The winning entry,<span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: lime;"><strong>SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS</strong></span> was submitted by <a href="http://www.debbiereedfischer.com/about.html">Debbie Reed Fischer</a> (also won book of the year - Sheesh!) It looks like a pretty cool YA read. (Congratulations Debbie, but I'll be workin' harder than ever on this writin' thing so I can catch up.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, it wasn't a total loss. I received an email with stuff about the entries and categories & saw the brief little blurb about my book included. It looked like this: </div><br />
<em>Bad Lattitude—A Jack Rackham Adventure by David Ebright.</em><br />
<em>Fifteen-year-old surfers discover an ancient and dangerous secret,</em><br />
<em>one that will force them to choose between fortune and friendship</em><br />
<em>and change their lives forever.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
By the way - <strong><span style="color: red;">BAD LATITUDE</span></strong> took the <strong><span style="color: lime;">2nd place award</span></strong>. <br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>David Ebrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03037059701518103541noreply@blogger.com7